Trek 5500 Triple

Price Paid:  $3200.00 at Gus' International B

Favorite Ride:
Abyss 5500

Bike Setup:
Abyss,120 OCLV Carbon,Dura-Ace Triple,12/27 for the hills,12/23 for home. Easton EC-70 Seat post, Terry Fly Ti for Men, Easton EC-90 44cm bars,Bontrager tape,Zipp bar bungs,Shimano WH-7701 Dura-Ace Wheels,Vittoria Open Corsa CX TT tyres,Rolf Ti skewers.

Summary:
Dura-Ace is crisp and smooth shifting. Carbon ride is hard to beat. Century rides, the miles just melt away. It doesn't beat you up like the 2300 ZR-9000 frame did. Which you can tame down with a carbon seat post and handle bars. Items that I carried over to the 5500. Wheels I choose the Shimano WH-7701 for the strength. I'm a Clydesdale and the Bontrager Race Lites from the 2300 couldn't hack it so I didn't want to try the stock X-Lites. 110Kgs just to much for the little wheels. This bike climbs like a cat. Accelerates like it wants to get right out from under you. Handles like a dream. I came out of one of the Notches here in N.H. at 57 mph and cornered with out hesitation. So add two more pieces of cabon, your favorite seat and Vittoria Open Corsa CX TT tires and you can ride for the day and ride tomorrow as well. Great bike.

Strengths:
Smooth ride, Stiff where you need it. Top components. Real nice paint job.

Weaknesses:
So darn pretty I'm going to hate the day I finally scratch it. Ride can still be improved with the addition of carbon seat post and carbon bars. My yellow one is stone stock and I can notice the difference right away.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 2300 ZR9000, Lance Armstrong Signature Edition Trek 5500 #633 my beech blaster. Another great ride.

Price Paid:  $3600.00 at North End Cyclery Vi

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere on this Bike!!

Bike Setup:
All Dura-Ace,Bontrager Race lite stem and bars,Also the new Bontrager X-lite wheels very strong and

Summary:
A real Pleasure to ride on any road condition. Feels alive at any speed, stiff when out of the saddle sprinting or climbing. Very comfortable on rough roads, handles like a dream in the corners, super bike.

Strengths:
The best of both worlds an all day all a rounder, and a super quick race bike.

Weaknesses:
Ain't none.

Similar Products Used:
Own a Colango CT1 love it. My 5500 is as good in overall performance.

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Scholl''s Warrendale

Favorite Ride:
The one I'm on at the time.

Bike Setup:
Dura-Ace Triple (why not), Chris King, Postal 5500 frame, Thompson post, San Marco saddle, Bontrager

Summary:
I have the XTR 9.9 Pro carbon hardtail mountain bike and the outstanding qualities of that bike induced me to trade my Litespeed Classic (a fine bike, but not as light, stiff or responsive) in for a Dura-Ace equipped Postal Frame.

Strengths:
Light, stiff, responsive and great carbon ride quality. Better than ti.
Added the Patriot Chris King Headset. No poser - GO USA!

Weaknesses:
Not being able to ride like Lance.

Similar Products Used:
Litespeed Classic, various steel frames.